Investigations Editor

About the role

The investigations editor will lead enterprise projects with WABE's beat reporters, morning and evening shows, and digital team. They will also have the opportunity to pursue reporting projects.

Responsibilities

• Works with reporters to develop investigative story ideas from tips, data, documents, or leads; assesses newsworthiness, feasibility, and risk before greenlighting a project; sets reporting plans and timelines for multi-week or multi-month investigations.
• Directs use of public records requests (FOIA/state laws), data analysis, document review, and source cultivation; advises reporters on interview strategy, especially for sensitive interviews; helps reporters build and organize evidence files.
• Line-edits and structurally edits long-form investigative pieces, ensuring the narrative supports the central finding; works with reporters through multiple drafts; edits for accuracy, fairness, and clarity across print, digital, and audio formats.
• Collaborates with the visual team, audio producers, and photo/video staff on multi-platform packages; manages cross-newsroom or cross-station collaborations; allocates reporter time and data budgets in association with the managing editor.
• Trains reporters in investigative methods (records requests, data tools, source development); enforces ethical standards around anonymous sourcing and documentation; conducts post-mortems on published investigations.
• Maintains awareness of real-world impact of investigations (policy changes, legal action, public response) for grant reporting or awards submissions.

Requirements

• Strong organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines and handle many long-term projects with multiple people.
• A desire for impact in the community and a belief in the importance of news media.
• A strong work ethic, high level of journalistic integrity, and understanding of audio storytelling.
• Reliability, trustworthiness, receptiveness to feedback, and willingness to grow and adapt.
• At least 10+ years of experience in journalism with at least 5+ years focused on investigative journalism.